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A BERTOLT BRECHT PLAY THE LIFE OF GALILEO __________________________________________________ A Susanne Spirit Translation with Music and Songs By Ms. Susanne Spirit
All Rights Reserved 2009
Ms. Susanne Spirit Brecht Estate and Susanne Spirit
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T. 951- 279-1134 E. Mail: susannespirit@mac.com
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[Music Cue #1: Spirit Nr. 1] (MUSICIANS play briey to set stage.)
BALLAD SINGERS (Sing.) Nel corso dell'anno sech-zchn centinaia e nove, sembrava daas luce del Sap-sens luminose. A Pa-du-a sus uovo-nem klel-nen House Ga-li-le-o ga-li lei rech-ne-te, rech-nete. La domenica" rappresenta ancora, (ANOTHER SINGER begins.) La domenica" rappresenta ancora, la domenica" rappresenta ancora, la terra', la terra" -of-theimmaginare! ANOTHER BALLAD SINGER (Sings same time with above singers.) La terra viene da pensare che la terra" proviene dagli stand, la terra', la terra', la terra" kommmt - da-the-immaginare. (Music and Musicians continue to play.) A CHILD (Speaking to what appears to be his father.) THE MAN
What Happened?
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BALLAD SINGERS (Sings to Audience.) Galileo Galilei, Galileo Galilei, Galileo Galileo In the late 1500s Galileo Galilei was born Little did he know he would always be scorned! The bishops, cardinals, monks and senators, Awed at this man, but didnt know what to do As Galileo opposed not only Aristotle, but bible heroes, too, Galileo, Galilei, Galileo Galilei, Galileo Galilei He gured out, in robust thought The earth is not the center of existence its merely a drop Is there no heaven, if the earth is merely a star? Oh Galileo, Galilei, What exists in the darkness afar? Galileo Galilei constantly creating something new From old, for the next generation to be told Thinking it illogical to be afraid of the unknown If man believes in God, he should believe in everything he holds In scorn, after all, Man must accept his own death one day, he shall Which will force him to change his ways Galileo Galilei, Galileo Galilei, Galileo Galileo He says the thoughts of man is his esh and blood, with reason as Changing old to new makes thinking and brings Mans personal season To think means I am alive, to stop, means you have died But one thing Galileo Galilei knows, that even when mans mortality goes
All Rights Reserved by the Brecht Estate and Susanne Spirit/Greenland Global Entertainment 2009 19430 Dry Gulch Road, The South Forty Estate, Corona, CA 92881 Inland Empire Ofce: T. 1-951-279-1134 Email: greenlandglobal@mac.com
All Rights Reserved by the Brecht Estate and Susanne Spirit/Greenland Global Entertainment 2009 19430 Dry Gulch Road, The South Forty Estate, Corona, CA 92881 Inland Empire Ofce: T. 1-951-279-1134 Email: greenlandglobal@mac.com
I-ii-4
A boy, ANDREA, Signora Sartis son, brings in a glass of milk and a roll to SIGNOR GALILEI.
BALLAD SINGERS (Speak.) In the year sixteen-hundred-and-nine, sciences light began to shine. At Padua City, in a modest house, Galileo Galilei, a teacher of mathematics at Padua, set out to prove the sun is still and the earth is on the move. GALILEO (Washing his upper torso, pufng and happy) Put the milk on the table but dont shut any of the books. ANDREA Mother says we have to pay the milkman. Otherwise hell make a circle around our house, Signor Galilei. GALILEO Describe a circle, Andrea, Describe a circle! ANDREA All right!! But if we dont pay, hell describe a circle around our house, Signor Galileo. GALILEO
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GALILEO Good. Ive got something for you. Look behind those star charts.
I-ii-5 (ANDREA shes out from behind the star charts a large wooden model of the Ptolemaic System. GALILEO watches him.) What is it? ANDREA
GALILEO An armillary sphere, a contraption that shows how the stars move around the earth in the opinion of and according to the ancients. How? ANDREA
GALILEO Lets examine it. First things rst! Description. ANDREA Right there in the middle there is a little stone. That is the earth. GALILEO
ANDREA There are rings around it, one inside another; one on top of the other.
How many?
GALILEO ANDREA
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ANDREA There are balls fastened to the rings, attached to them. GALILEO The stars. ANDREA Then there are tags with words painted on the bands. GALILEO What kind of words?
I-ii-6
ANDREA Names of stars! GALILEO Such as . . . ANDREA The bottommost ball is the moon, it says! It is written right there. And the one above it is the sun. GALILEO Now spin the sun around. Make it move! ANDREA (Sets the rings in motion!) Thats pretty! Thats beautiful! But we are so shut in. GALILEO (Drying him self!) Thats what I felt, too, when I laid eyes on that thing, that contraption, for the rst time. Some people feel that way. Some people feel those things. (Throws the towel to Andrea, for him to dry his back.) Movement within Walls, rings and immobility! [Music Cue #3: Spirit Were Moving In Full Sail]
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I-ii-7
When I was a young man in Siena I saw some masons, after arguing for ve minutes, discard an age-old method of moving granite blocks in favor of a new and more practical arrangement of the ropes. Then and there I realized that the old times are over and this every day is a new day. Some men will know all about their habitat, this heavenly body
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GALILEO (Sings.) Being put in the docket are most sacred truths What was never questioned has ripened to full fruits We now know the heavens are empty The earth laughs and laughs, with that news, they do, they do, they do I predict within our lifetime all market places GALILEO (Cont.) Will hum with the talk of new astronomy gazes And, even shwives sons, none of whom before Will ght their way into schools, and no longer be idiotic fools, No more, No more, No more GALILEO, ANDREA AND BALLAD SINGERS (Chorus) O Happy Morning; of A New Beginning O Breathe of Wind, from new and distant shores, sing, sing, sing The Millennium of faith, PRONOUNCED DEAD The Millennium of doubt, is being born, instead, Whirling, whirling, whirling, straight, straight on ahead
I-ii-9
(Chorus MUSIC ONLY Nice to have special effects on stage during this time.)
ANDREA They say, they say, the earth has rolled round the sun With stars and stars attached, to a crystal sphere, all as one So as not to come tumbling down on our heads Well, now we must allow these beautiful pieces, to oat freely
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GALILEO Only then? Are you sure about that?
(GALILEO picks up the chair with ANDREA in it and turns it halfway
around.) Wheres the sun now?
ANDREA On the right.
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GALILEO Obviously. The chair is the earth. Youre sitting on it. (SIGNORA SARTI has come in to make the bed. She has been watching the scene.)
SIGNORA SARTI What on earth are you doing with my boy, Andrea, Signor Galilei?
GALILEO I am teaching him how to see, Signora Sarti.
ii-12
SIGNORA SARTI By lugging and carrying him around the room.
ANDREA Please never mind, mother. You dont understand! SIGNORA SARTI Oh, but you do? Is that so? But of course, you understand. A young gentleman has come here. He wants to take lessons. Very well dressed and he has a letter of recommendation.
(SIGNORA SARTI hands over the letter to GALILEO)
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I-
GALILEO (Laughing.) Yes, just give me time to nish my milk! (To ANDREA) Well, you did seem to have understood something yesterday after all!!! ANDREA I only told her to get a rise out of her. But, it is not true!! You only turned the chair with me in it around sideways, but not like this! I-ii-13 (ANDREA moves his arm in a circle to the front, a vertically circular movement.) Because Id have fallen off the chair, and thats a fact! Why didnt you turn the chair over? Because that would prove Id fall off the earth if it moved that way. There! But I proved it to you!!! GALILEO
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ANDREA All right, take the apple. What would keep me from hanging head down at night? GALILEO Well, heres the earth, and here you are, youre standing here on it. (He sticks a splinter from a piece of kindling, a log, into the apple.) And now the earth turns. ANDREA And, now I am hanging head down. GALILEO What do you mean? How do you gure? Look closely! Wheres the head? There. Below. ANDREA (Pointing at the apple.) I-ii-14
All Rights Reserved by the Brecht Estate and Susanne Spirit/Greenland Global Entertainment 2009 19430 Dry Gulch Road, The South Forty Estate, Corona, CA 92881 Inland Empire Ofce: T. 1-951-279-1134 Email: greenlandglobal@mac.com
All Rights Reserved by the Brecht Estate and Susanne Spirit/Greenland Global Entertainment 2009 19430 Dry Gulch Road, The South Forty Estate, Corona, CA 92881 Inland Empire Ofce: T. 1-951-279-1134 Email: greenlandglobal@mac.com
GALILEO Ill have to take you rst thing in the morning. And, Andrea, Youll just have to be the loser. Naturally, Ill have to drop you, Andrea. You understand? You dont pay. ANDREA All right, Im going. Can I take the apple? Yes. GALILEO (ANDREA leaves.)
LUDOVICO Youll have to be patient with me, mostly because in science everythings the opposite of common sense. Take that crazy tube theyre selling in Amsterdam. Ive examined it carefully. A green leather casing and two lenses, one like this . . . (He indicates a concave lens.) and one like this . . . (He indicates a convex lens.) As far as I know, one magnies and the other reduces. [Music Cue #6: Spirit Thats Science For You]
GALILEO
(Sings.) (Chorus) Yes, Thats science for you, Its unpredictable, odd, and is delightful for play, But a little bit of science is ab-so-lute-te-ly necessary these days It is better than a dead language, or the-o-lo-gy, I would certainly say. And, that, is, science, for you.
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I-ii-17
GALILEO And, that my young man is science, yes science, for you. (Speaking.) And, that is science for you. Perhaps you should take up horse breeding? Its easier. (GALILEO and LUDOVICO catch sight of SIGNORA SARTI.)
LUDOVICO Mother says a little science wont hurt me.
GALILEO Very well. Ill see you on Tuesday morning.
(LUDOVICO leaves. GALILEO speaks to SIGNORA SARTI.) Dont look at me like that. I took him, didnt I? Ive accepted him.
SIGNORA SARTI Only, because you saw me in the nick of time! The procurator of the university is here.
GALILEO Bring him in. Hes important. It might mean ve hundred scudi. Then I wouldnt have to take on any pupils. (SIGNORA SARTI shows the procurator in. GALILEO has completed dressing while scribbling gures on a slip of paper.)
GALILEO Good morning, lend me a half of scudo. (GALILEO gives the coin THE PROCURATOR has shed out of his purse to SIGNORA SARTI.) Sarti, would you send Andrea to the spectacle maker for two lenses? Here are the measurements.
All Rights Reserved by the Brecht Estate and Susanne Spirit/Greenland Global Entertainment 2009 19430 Dry Gulch Road, The South Forty Estate, Corona, CA 92881 Inland Empire Ofce: T. 1-951-279-1134 Email: greenlandglobal@mac.com
[Music Cue #7: Spirit I Teach, I Teach]
GALILEO/ BALLAD SINGERS
(Sings.) (Chorus) I teach, I teach, and I have too many students I teach, and I teach, my life is nothing but stupid students How am I to teach if all I have are hypothesis? I need proofs, I need proofs, I need proofs to teach. Especially for these many, too many, stupid students
A BALLAD SINGER
(Spoken) I ask myself, when am I to learn the books of research, I have no time for them,
ANOTHER BALLAD SINGER (Spoken)
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A BALLAD SINGER
(Spoken) How am I to make progress when to keep my household a oat?
ANOTHER BALLAD SINGER
(Spoken) I must drum into the head of every dunce who pays, while I gleam and gloat.
ANOTHER BALLAD SINGER
(Spoken) That parallel lines meet in innity and too many laws explain so little indenitely.
ANOTHER BALLAD SINGER
(Spoken) Whereas our new ideas have few rules that explain a lot,
GALILEO (Spoken)
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I-ii-21
THE PROCURATOR A Toy? That invention delighted and amazed our leading citizens and brought in money you call that imam, and a toy? Why even General Stefano Gritti is able to gure out square roots with it.
GALILEO Ah, miracolo Priulli, you have given me an idea. You have set a bee loose in my bonnet. I just might have something for you along those lines.
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THE PROCURATOR (Sings.) You are a great man, a great, but dissatised man If I may take the liberty and say so, I dont understand! GALILEO I-ii-24
(Sings.) Yes, I am a dissatised man, I will tell you what I can I am dissatised with myself, I am Now you have made me dissatised with you, too Oh, heavens, what oh what should I do. You helped me become who I am you should be paying me great from my dissatisfaction As I look at every distraction.
THE PROCURATOR
(Sings.) You are a great man, a great, but dissatised man You inventions enchant and astound men Allowing them to gure and see with no thought of their own at hand
GALILEO
(Sings.) Yes, I am a dissatised man, I will tell you what I can Those toys I created with joy from my heart, Because my mind whirls and whirls and wont stop, you old fart I want answers, I want, I want, questions and I want your help too I have made great discoveries, worth money, of which you know is true Realizations, unveilings of things unknown yet by man That can no longer keep secret from our land
THE PROCURATOR
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(THE PROCURATOR goes out. GALILEO remains alone for a moment and begins to work. Then ANDREA comes rushing in.
GALILEO continues working.) Why havent you eaten the apple?
ANDREA I need it to show her that the earth turns.
GALILEO I must tell you something, Andrea. Dont talk about our ideas to anyone.
ANDREA Why not?
GALILEO Our rulers, the authorities, have forbidden it!
ANDREA
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What is a hypothesis?
I-ii-26 GALILEO Its when we consider something probable but have no facts. We assume that Felice a new young mother while nursing her baby down there outside of the basket weavers shop, is giving milk to the baby and not getting milk from it. Thats a hypothesis as long as we cant go and see for ourselves and prove it. In the face of the heavenly bodies were like worms with dim eyes that see very little. The ancient doctrines that have been accepted for a thousand years are rickety. Theres less soled timber in those immense edices than in the props needed to keep them from collapsing. Too many laws that explain too little, whereas our new hypothesis has few laws that explain a great deal. But youve proved it all to me. ANDREA
GALILEO Only thats its possible. You see, the hypothesis is a very elegant one and there is no evidence to the contrary.
ANDREA I want to be a physicist too, like you, Signor Galilei.
GALILEO That is very sensible in view of all the problems remaining to be solved in our eld.
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SETTING: AT RISE:
II-i-27 ACT II Scene 1 The great Arsenal of Venice near the Harbor. GALILEO presents a new invention to the republic of Venice. SENATORS are gathered with the DOGE at the Head. To his one side are Galileos friend SAGREDO and VIRGINIA GALILEI, Galileos daughter who is fteen years old. She carries a velvet cushion on which lies a telescope about two feet in length and covered in a rich crimson leather. On a dais is GALILEO; behind him the tripod stands for the telescope with the lensgrinder FEDERZONI who stands in charge of it.
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BALLAD SINGER/
(ALL Sing.)
(Verse) Beautiful is not everything, that a Great Man does, that A Great Man does, Except for what we sing, in voices, like Gods doves (Repeat Verse with Harmonies)
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A BALLAD SINGER
(Spoken.) These spheres revolved about the earth. Each containing set in it as a jewel, a luminous heavenly body or orb that moved about the earth with the movement of its transparent sphere. Nearest to the Earth was the Moon. Then, in turn, came the spheres of Mercury, Venus, the Sun, Then those of the Outer Planets. Last came the Outermost Sphere, containing the Fixed Stars studded in it, all moving majestically about the earth in daily motion, but motionless with respect to each other, because held rmly in the same sphere.
ANOTHER BALLAD SINGER
(Spoken.) The Highest is the immoveable sphere of the xed stars, which contains and gives position to all things. The lunar sphere revolves about the center of the earth and moves with the earth like an epicycle. In the same order also one planet surpasses another in speed of revolution, according as they trace greater or smaller circles.
A BALLAD SINGER
(Spoken.) Saturn completes its revolution in thirty years;
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II-i-31
(Spoken.) Mars in two and one half; (Spoken.) Earth in one year; (Spoken.) Venus in nine months;
A BALLAD SINGER
A BALLAD SINGER
ANOTHER BALLAD SINGER
(Spoken.) And, Mercury in three.
GALILEO/ BALLAD SINGERS
(Sing.) From Harmony, from Heavenly Harmony, this universal frame began We that are of pure re, imitate the starry quire Who in their nightly watchful spheres, lead in swift round the months and years? Arise, arise ye more than dead. From Harmony, from Heavenly Harmony, this universal frame began The sounds, and seas, with all their nny drove, Now to the moon in wavering morrice move And lo the sea, that eets about the land, And like a girdle clips her solid waist with music and measure both doth understand Arise, arise ye more than dead. From Harmony, from heavenly harmony, this universal frame began Music and measure both doth understand; For his great crystal eye is always cast up to the moon and on her xed fast And as she danceth in her palled sphere, so danceth he, about his centre here And musics power obeys, come, come, with no delay,
A BALLAD SINGER
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II-i-32
SENATOR One sees too well with that thing. Ill have to warn my ladies to stop bathing on the roof. GALILEO (To Segrado.) Do you know what the Milky Way consists of? No. SAGREDO
GALILEO
I do.
SENATOR A thing like this is worth at least ten scudi, Signor. Galilei.
(GALILEO bows.)
VIRGINIA
(Takes LUDOVICO to her father, GALILEO.) Ludovico wants to congratulate you, father.
LUDOVICO
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LUDOVICO So, I see, sir. You made the casing red. In Holland the covering, it was green. GALILEO (Returning to Sagredo.) I wonder if I couldnt prove a certain doctrine with that contraption. Watch your step! Be careful! SAGREDO
THE PROCURATOR Your ve hundred scudi are in the bag, Signor Galilei.
GALILEO
(Paying him no attention.) Of course, Im always wary ahead of rash conclusions.
(The DOGE, a fat, modest man, has approached GALILEO and is attempting, with clumsy dignity, to address him.)
THE PROCURATOR Mr. Galilei, His Excellency the Doge.
(The DOGE shakes GALILEOS hand.)
GALILEO Of course, Oh, yes, the ve hundred scudi! Are you satised, Your Excellency?
DOGE Unfortunately our city fathers always need some sort of pretext before they can do anything to reward our scholars.
THE PROCURATOR Otherwise, without where would the incentive be, eh Signor Galilei?
DOGE (Smiling.)
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LUDOVICO Oh, nothing. Only that the green casing might have done just as well. VIRGINIA I think they are all very pleased with father. LUDOVICO And I think Im beginning to understand something about science. [Music Cue #14: Spirit Nr. 2 B]
ANOTHER BALLAD SINGER (Sings.) Schon ist nicht al-les, was ein gro-ber Mann lut! Dodi Ga-li-le-o u gern gut. Nun hort und seid nicht grimm dar-eh, die Wahrheit u-bers Te-le-skop.
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III-i-36 ACT III Scene 1 January 10, 1610. GALILEOS Modest Study. Padua, Italy. Evening. GALILEO and SAGREDO, both in heavy overcoats, are at the telescope and about to abolish heaven. By means of the telescope GALILEO discovers celestial phenomena that prove the Copernican system. Warned by his friend of the possible consequences of his investigations, GALILEO still afrms his faith in reason. BALLAD SINGERS tell the tale of how they see things.
BALLAD SINGERS (Sing.) Sixteen hundred ten, Sech-zehnhun-dert-sehn tenth of January, sehn-ter Ja-nu-ary, Galileo Galilei, Galileo Galilei saw that no heaven was, Sah daft kein Himmel war, saw that no heaven was, Sah daft kein Himmel war. Quasdam Miracula Universi, Quasdam, Quasdam Miracula Universi, Universi, Intoxicatio, Intoxicatio. A BALLAD SINGER
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FEMALE BALLAD SINGERS
(ALL sing accompanied by a Heavy Strings Section.) Little Orbs, Little Orbs, where are you tonight? Where are you little perfect ickering pieces of light? Little Orbs, Little Orbs, Have you gone out of my sight? Have you left me alone with no hope of my magical heavenly ight?
A BALLAD SINGER
(Sings.) I believed in you, how could you be a fake? For years you made my earthly pain easy to take Because with hell under the ground My only hope was that for eternity you would be around.
FEMALE BALLAD SINGERS
(Sing.) Little Orbs, Little Orbs, Where are you tonight? Where are you perfect ickering pieces of light? Little Orbs, My Little Orbs, Little Orbs, Have you gone out of my sight?
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III-
GALILEO
(Sings.) Those spots of light are gigantic mountains, I believe, I believe Whose peaks catch the morning rays, Oh, yes, indeed, While their slopes are covered, in the night with none, Light pours down the summers in the valleys, from our same sun.
BALLAD SINGERS
(Spoken.) The stars, planets, sun and the moon look how they shine bright, Like the earths rays at noon, they must be made of pure, and gleaming light. How could my angels live up there? If everything wasnt perfectly right?
(Shouted) Oh, Galileo Galilei, Do not destroy my little orbs, not tonight.
GALILEO
(Spoken.) I am looking at the dark half of the moons crescent. It does glitter with some bright particles efferiscent, but irregular, jagged and rough, its edges seem to appear, with the same earth-like substances, created here over millions of years.
BALLAD SINGERS
(Spoken.) Your cosmos must be hierarchy of ascending perfection, made of ethereal substance with God at the top and descending his essence. Your world, tenuous as the crystal spheres, for where you lived. I am sorry my little orbs, Oh, I hope for our sake, you still exist.
GALILEO (Speaks Softly) Those spots of light are gigantic mountains, I believe!
(Sings.) Whose peaks catch the morning rays, Oh, yes, indeed.
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III-i-40
BALLAD SINGERS (Sing.) Little Orbs, little Orbs, where are you tonight? Where are you, little perfect ickering pieces of light? [Music Cue #17: Spirit Nr. 2 C] GALILEO (Sings.) There is no difference and that is right, between heaven and earth, not in my sight. And, on this tenth of January 1610, let me say, I, Galileo Galilei, I, Galileo Galelei, abolish heaven. ONE BALLAD SINGER (Sing.) Quasdam Miracula Universi Quasdam Quasdam Miracula Universi, Universi, Intoxicatio, Intoxicatio. SETTING: TIME: AT RISE: (BLACKOUT) (END OF SCENE) ACT III Scene 2 GALILEOS study in Padua. Night. GALILEO and SAGREDO are both wrapped in thick, heavy cloaks at the telescope. III-ii-42
SAGREDO (Looking through the telescope, he speaks, half to himself.) The edge of the crescent is quite irregular, jagged and roughly serrated. In the dark half near the luminous edge there are bright luminous particle points that are emerging, one after another that keep growing larger, and spreading light out over wider and wider areas until they nally merge with the bright larger crescent part. GALILEO So, how do you account for those spots of light, those luminous points? SAGREDO
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GALILEO Gigantic mountains. Whose gilded peaks catch the rays of the rising sun while all around their surrounding slopes are covered in the deep darkness of night! What youre seeing is light pouring down the descending summits from the highest peaks of the valleys.
SAGREDO But that contradicts all of the astronomy for two thousand years.
GALILEO Yes, I know. That is true! What youre seeing now, no human being mortal has ever seen before, except me and Copernicus. Youre the third.
SAGREDO But, the moon cant be an earth with mountains and valleys, any more than the earth can be a star or a planet.
IIIii-43
GALILEO The moon can be an earth with mountains and valleys, and the earth can be a planet or a star. Simply another heavenly body, one among thousands! Look again! Is the darkened part of the moon completely dark?
SAGREDO No. But now that I do look closely I can see a dim, feeble ashen light on it.
GALILEO Yes, And, what kind of light can that be? (Pause.) Its from the earth.
SAGREDO Nonsense. How can the earth with its mountains and forest and oceans a cold body give light?
GALILEO The same way the moon sheds light. Both bodies are lighted and illuminated by the sun and thats why they shine. What the moon is to us we are to the moon. The moon sees us by turns as a crescent, as a half circle, as full, and then not al all.
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SAGREDO A man was burned in Rome less than ten years ago. His name was Giordano Bruno and he said the very same thing. GALILEO I know. But we can see it. Keep your eyes to the telescope tube, Sagredo. What you see is that theres no difference between heaven and earth. This day, this tenth of January1610, humanity notes in its diary, its journal: Heaven is abolished!!! (Sings.) I Galileo, I Galileo, declare that heaven is abolished! [Music Cue #18: Spirit My Little Orbs] (Chorus Only)
BALLAD SINGERS (Sing.) Little Orbs, Little Orbs, Where Are You Tonight? Where are you little perfect ickering pieces of light? [Music Cue #19: Spirit Nr. 2 D] III-
ii-44
ONE BALLAD SINGER
(Sings.) The old says, as I am, Ive been from the beginning The new says: If youre not useful then go!
[Music Cue #20: Spirit Nr. 2 C]
BALLAD SINGERS
(Sing.) Quasdam Miracula, Universi Quasdam Quasdam Miracula, Universi, Universi, Intoxicatio, Intoxicatio!
SAGREDO It is terrifying.
GALILEO
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SAGREDO
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III-ii-48
GALILEO Yes! And, you know whom! The others!!! The whole world was against them, and yet they were right!!! Andrea has to see this!! This nding is something for Andrea!
(Beside himself with excitement, he runs to the door and shouts.) Mrs. Sarti! Signoria Sarti! Mrs. Sarti!
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BALLAD SINGER (Sings.) Dus-Al-te sagt So wie ich bin, bin ich von fax, Das Neue sagt, Bist du nicht gut dann, hehl. If youre not useful, then go. SAGREDO Im not standing around like a dunce. Im trembling with fear, because it appears it is the truth. GALILEO What? SAGREDO Have you taken leave of your senses? Have you lost them? Dont you realize the danger you are getting into if what you see is really true? And, if you go shouting over all the market places that the earth is a planet, a star and not the center of the universe. GALILEO Yes, and that the whole enormous gigantic cosmos with all its stars doesnt revolve around our puny, tiny little earth, as anyone could have guessed anyway. SAGREDO So that theres nothing but stars! But where does that put God? What do you mean? GALILEO III-ii-49
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GALILEO Am I a theologian? Im a mathematician.
SAGRDO First of all youre a human being. And, I ask you: Where is God in your world system?
GALILEO Within us or nowhere!
SAGREDO (Shouting.) You are saying the same as the man who was burned said?
GALILEO Yes, the man they burned said this too.
SAGREDO Thats why he was burned! Not ten years ago!
GALILEO Because he couldnt prove it! Because all he could do was say so! Signora Sarti! Signora Sarti!
SAGREDO Galileo, I know youre a clever man. For three years in Pisa and seventeen here in Padua youve patiently instructed hundreds of students in the Ptolemaic system as advocated by the church and conrmed by the scriptures on which the church is grounded. Like Copernicus you thought it was wrong, but you taught it?
GALILEO Yes, I taught it, but only because I could not prove anything.
SAGREDO (Incredulously.) Do you thing that proving it makes any difference?
GALILEO All the difference in the world! Look here, Sagredo! I believe in man, in human beings, and that means I believe in reason! Without that belief I wouldnt have the strength to get out of bed in the morning.
IIIii-50
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III-
SIGNORA SARTI What do you want with him, may I ask? GALILEO I want to show him something thatll please him. Hes going to see something that no one but us has ever seen since the earth, our world, began. SIGNORA SARTI You want to show him something through your tube again? GALILEO Yes, something through my tube again, Signor Sarti. SIGNORA SARTI And for that you want me to wake him in the middle of the night? Are you out of your mind? Have you lost your reason? He needs his sleep. I wouldnt think of waking him. Not a chance? Not a chance. GALILEO SIGNORA SARTI
GALILEO Signoria Sarti, in that case maybe you can help me. You see, a question has come up that we cant agree on, perhaps because weve read too many books. Its a question about the sky, involving the stars precisely. Here it is: Now, which seems more likely, that large bodies turn around small bodies or small bodies around large ones?
SIGNORA SARTI (Suspiciously.) I never know what youre up to, Signor Galilei. Is this a serious question or are you pulling my leg again?
GALILEO
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VIRGINIA Im going to matins, early mass, with Mrs. Sarti. Ludovico will be there too. How was the night, father? Clear and bright1 GALILEO
VIRGINIA May I look through it?
GALILEO Why? What for? (Virginia has no answer.) Its not a toy!
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GALILEO I need leisure, peace and quiet, old friend. I need proofs. And I want the eshpots. With a position like that I wont have to ram the Ptolemaic System down the throats of private students, Ill have time time, time, time! to work out my proofs. What Ive got now isnt enough. Its nothing; its just bits and pieces. I cant stand up to the whole world with that. Theres still no proof that any celestial heavenly body revolves around the sun. But Im going to nd the proofs, proofs for everybody from Signoria Sarti all the way on up to the Pope. The only thing that worries me is that the court may not accept me or want me.
VIRGINIA Oh, Im sure theyll take you, father, with your new stars and all.
GALILEO Go to you mass.
(Virginia leaves.)
VIRGINIA All right, Father!
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SAGREDO Why not? Florence is ruled, ruled, by monks.
GALILEO There are distinguished scholars at the Florentine court.
SAGREDO Toadies! Mere lackeys!
GALILEO Ill take them by the scruff of their necks and drag them to my tube. Even monks are human beings, Sagredo. Even monks can be seduced by proofs. Copernicus- dont forget that wanted them to trust his gures, Im only asking them to trust the evidence of their eyes. When truth is too weak to defend itself, it has to lead the attack. Ill take them by the scrugg of their necks and make them look through this tube.
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SETTING: AT RISE:
IV-i-57
SIGNORA SARTI is getting GALILEOS new study in Florence ready to receive guests. Her son Andrea is seated, putting celestial charts away. GALILEO has moved from the Republic of Venice to the Florentine Court. Discoveries made with his telescope cause disbelief among the scholars there. BALLAD SINGERS are singing. [Music Cue #24: Spirit Nr. 2 D]
BALLAD SINGERS
(Sing.) The old says: What Ive always done, Ill always do. The new says: If youre useless, you must go. The old says: As I am, Ive been from the beginning. The new says: If youre not useful, then you must go. If youre not useful, then you must go. If youre not useful, then you must go.
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IV-
COSMO It shows how the sun moves, doesnt it? Yes, so they say. ANDREA
COSMO (Sitting down in a chair, he takes the model on his knees.) My tutor has a cold. So, I was able to get away early. Its nice here.
ANDREA (Is becoming quite restless, he ambles about irresolutely, throwing suspicious glances at the strange boy, and at last, unable to resist the temptation any longer, takes from behind
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ANDREA Of course, it has been proven. COSMO You dont say! I wish I knew why they didnt let me go in to see the old man. Last night he was at dinner as usual. ANDREA You dont seem to believe it, or do you? Why certainly, I do. COSMO
IV-i-60 ANDREA (Pointing at the model on COSMOS knees.) Give it back! You dont even understand that one! But you do not need two. COSMO
ANDREA Give it back this minute. Its not a toy for little boys.
COSMO I dont mind giving it back but you ought to be a little more polite, you know.
ANDREA Youre stupid and I dont care about being polite. Give it back or you will see.
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(ANDREA and COSMO start ghting and are soon rolling on the oor.) ANDREA Ill show you how to treat a model. Give up! COSMO Youve broken it! You are twisting my hand. ANDREA We will see who is right and who isnt. Say it turns or Ill box your ears. COSMO I wont! Ouch! You redhead! Ill teach you good manners! Redhead? Am I a redhead? ANDRE
(ANDREA and COSMO continue to ght in silence. In the study below, GALILEO and SEVERAL UNIVERSITY PROFESSORS enter. Behind them FEDERZONI.) THE LORD CHAMBERLAIN Gentlemen, a slight illness has prevented Mrs. Sarti, His Highness tutor, from accompanying His Highness. IV-i-61 THE THEOLOGIAN Nothing serious, I hope? No, no, by no means. THE LORD CHAMBERLAIN
THE LORD CHAMBERLAIN His Highness is upstairs. May I ask you gentlemen to proceed? The court is so very anxious to hear the opinion of our illustrious university about Mr. Galileis extraordinary
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THE PHILOSPHER
(Sings.) Thank you, my child. Im afraid it will not be so simple. Signor Galilei, before we apply ourselves to your famous instrument, let us be humble. We should like to request the pleasure of a disputation. Can such planets exist? Or is this some fantasy wish?
BALLAD SINGERS
(Sing in a chant while conversations continue.) Who is the authority? Who is the authority?
MATHEMATICIAN
(Sings.) A formal disputation! A formal disputation, is requested, is requested, of this strange situation.
BALLAD SINGERS
(Continue singing in a chant while conversations continue.) Who is the authority? Who is the authority?
IV-i-63
GALILEO I should hope, you would be convinced, if you simply looked, through my telescope, and you would see for yourselves.
BALLAD SINGERS (Continue to Sing growing louder and louder in a chant while conversations continue.) Who is the authority? Who is the authority? Authority! Authority! Who is the authority? Who will it be? Which man clearly sees? If only man could y, the truth unknown lies. Will it be uncovered under a stone?
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THE MATHEMATICIAN
(Sings.) Yes, yes. You are aware, of course, of course, as it goes without saying that in the view of the ancients no star can revolve around any center other than the earth and that there can be no stars without rm support in the sky. You are familiar with the ancients? That stars only, only, only, revolve around the earth, or so, at least according to these great men, and in fact, that not one, not one, can be unsupported, in their heaven?
GALILEO (Spoken.) Yes.
THE PHILOSOPHER
(Spoken.) And, quite apart, from the possibility of such stars, I, as a philosopher, would humbly like to raise the question regarding these heavens you see a far regardless of whether such stars are possible, a proposition that the mathematician (He bows to the mathematician.) seems to doubt, and, I, yes, I, as a philosopher should like with all due modesty to raise this question: Are such stars necessary?
(Sings.) Aristotelis divini universum . . . querie! Aristotelis divini universum . . . querie!
IV-i-64
GALILEO
(Spoken.) Oughtnt we to continue in the vernacular? My colleague, Mr. Federzoni, doesnt understand Latin. Isnt that clear?
THE PHILOSOPHER
(Spoken.) Does it matter whether he understands us?
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BALLAD SINGERS (In a soft chant, with each singer taking a line, conversations continue.) Who is the authority? Who is the authority? Authority! Authority! Who is the authority? Who will it be? Which man clearly sees? Is it important, oh yes indeed!
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IV-i-66
GALILEO Are you gentlemen going to look through it, or not? I havent time for this silliness, what naught!
THE PHILOSOPHER Certainly! Certainly! Of course, of course, of course, of course, of course, of course!
THE MATHEMATICIAN Certainly! Of course!
[Music Cue #26: Spirit Who Is Authority, Is It Important]
Chorus Only
BALLAD SINGERS
(Sings.) The telescope! The telescope! The telescope! The telescope! A mere instrument! What does it prove, or behove, that interestingly strange, truth telling? Telescope! (Very quietly to audience.) Oh, How important is it to the Authority! Who is really the authority? Those who think they are, are important, you see! But they may not be, the real authority! (Pause. Suddenly ANDREA turns around and walks stify out through the length of the room. SIGNORA SARTI, his mother intercepts him.)
SIGNORA SARTI Whats got into you? What is wrong with you?
ANDREA Theyre stupid! Theyre stupid! Theyre stupid! (Tears himself loose and runs off.)
THE PHILOSOPHER (Stately.) A deplorable child!
THE LORD CHAMBERLAIN Your Highness, gentlemen, may I remind you that the state ball will begin in three quarters of an hour?
THE MATHEMATICIAN Why beat about the bush? Sooner or later Mr. Galilei will have to reconcile himself and face up to the facts. His moons of Jupiter, his planets revolving around Jupiter, would
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GALILEO (Sings.) Truth is the child of time, not of anyone elses mind. Ignorance is innite, stop pretending to be ignorant. (Speaks.) Our ignorance, it never ceases to amaze me. Lets whittle away and reduce it by just one cubic millimeter, I say. Why should we still want to be so clever when at long last we have a chance of being a little less stupid? Ive had the unspeakable good fortune to lay hands on a new instrument with which we can observe a tiny corner of the universe a little more closely and clearly. Make use of it!!! Make use of it!!! Make use of it!!! [Music Cue #28: Spirit Who Is Authority, Is It Important] BALLAD SINGERS (Chant and slowly fade out.) Time! The Fathers! The church! Time! Time! Time! Instruments! The Telescope! A ne instrument so some say. Basta! Basta! Basta! Who is the authority? Who is the authority? The real authority! [Music Cue #29: Spirit Truth]
GALILEO (Sings.) Truth is the child of time, not of anyone elses mind. Ignorance is innite, stop pretending to be ignorant. (Sings.) THE PHILOSOPHER
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GALILEO Your Highness! My work in the great arsenal of Venice brought me into daily contact with draftsmen, architects and instrument makers. Those people taught me many new ways of doing things. They may not read books but they trust the testimony and evidence of their ve senses, most of them without fear as to where it will lead them . . . Fancy that! Oho! Oho! Oho! THE PHILOSOPHER
GALILEO I am very much like our seamen who left our shores a hundred years ago, without the slightest idea of what other shores, if any, they might reach. I trust what I have found! It looks as if we have to go to the shipyards nowadays to nd the high curiosity that was the glory of ancient Greece.
THE PHILOSOPHER After what we have heard here today, I have no doubt that Signor Galilei will indeed nd admirers in the shipyards.
THE LORD CHAMBERLAIN Your Highness, I note to my great dismay that this exceedingly instructive conversation has taken a little longer than foreseen and has exceeded its schedule. Your Highness must rest a while before the court ball.
(At a signal, the GRAND DUKE bows to GALILEO. The COURT quickly prepares to leave.)
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GALILEO (Running after them.) But all you gentlemen need to do is look through the instrument. Just look through it, please!
IV-i-73 THE LORD CHAMBERLAIN His Highness will not fail to obtain an expert opinion on your statements by consulting our greatest living astronomer, Father Christopher Clavius, Astronomer-in-Chief at the Papal College in Rome. GALILEO Oh goodness. What happened to reason? What is wrong with these human beings? Why cant they see the truth? [Music Cue #30: Spirit Truth]
GALILEO (Sings.) Truth is the child of time, not of anyone elses mind. Ignorance is innite, stop pretending to be ignorant. Let truth be told in time. (BLACKOUT) (END OF SCENE)
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ACT IV Scene 2, A
IV-iia-74
GALILEOS study in his home in Florence. Early morning. Undaunted even by the plague, GALILEO continues his investigations. GALILEO is bending over his notes at the telescope. VIRGINIA comes in with a traveling bag. GALILEO
VIRGINIA The convent is closed. They sent us home. There are ve cases of plague in Arcetri. (Calling out!) Signora Sarti! GALILEO
VIRGINIA And, last night our market was roped off. They say two people have died in the old city, And there is three more dying in the hospital.
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GALILEO (Wrapping the telescope in a tablecloth.) Put Virginia and Andrea in the coach. Ill join you in a minute.
VIRGINIA
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GALILEO Be reasonable, Virginia. If no one gets in, the coachman will just drive away. The plague is no joke.
VIRGINIA (Protesting as SIGNORA SARTI leads he and ANDREA out.) Help him with his books or he wont come.
SIGNORA SARTI (Calls out from the house door.) Signor Galilei! The coachman says he wont wait.
GALILEO Signora Sarti, I dont think I should leave. Everything is in such a muddle here, you know all my notes of the last three months I might as well throw them away if I dont
go on with them for a night or two. And anyway the plague is everywhere.
iia-76
SIGNORA SARTI
Mr. Galilei! Come this minute! You are out of your mind.
GALILEO You go with Virginia and Andrea. Ill come later.
SIGNORA SARTI
In another hour they wont let anyone leave the city. You must come! (Listens.) Hes driving off! Ive got to stop him. (Out.)
(GALILEO walks back and forth. SIGNORA SARTI returns, very pale, without her bundle.)
GALILEO Dont stand around like that! The coach with the children will leave without you.
SIGNORA SARTI Theyve left. They had to hold Virginia down. The children will be taken care of in Bologna. But whod get you your meals?
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IV-
ACT IV Scene 2, B
IV-iib-77
GALILEOS house in Florence. Outside. Early morning. GALILEO comes out of the door and looks down the street. TWO NUNS are passing by.
GALILEO (Addresses the NUNS.) Sisters, could you tell me where I can buy milk? This morning the milk woman did not come, and my housekeeper is away.
THE FIRST NUN Only the shops in the lower city are open.
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THE WOMAN (Screaming.) Run! Quick! Theyve got the plague! (Frightened the MAN runs away!) GALILEO Do you know anything about my housekeeper? THE WOMAN Your housekeeper collapsed in the street. Up there! She must have known. That is why she left you. How can people be so inconsiderate? (She bangs the window shut.) IV-iib-78 (CHILDREN come down the street. When they see GALILEO they run away screaming. As GALILEO turns around, TWO SOLDIERS in full armor come rushing in.)
THE SOLDIERS
Get back in that house! (With their long lances they push GALILEO back into his house. they bolt the door behind him.)
GALILEO (At a window.) Can you tell me whats happened to the woman?
THE SOLDIERS They take em to potters eld.
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THE OLD WOMAN Theyre making noise to drive away the clouds that carry the seeds of the plague. (GALILEO roars with laughter.) How can you laugh? (A MAN comes down the street and nds it roped off.) GALILEO Hey, you! The street is closed and there is nothing to eat in the house! (The MAN has already run away.)
THE OLD WOMAN Maybe they will bring us something. If they dont, I can put a pitcher of milk on your doorstep, if youre not afraid, but not until after dark. GALILEO Hey! Hey! Somebody ought to hear us. (Suddenly ANDREA stands at the rope. His face is stained with tears.) iib-80 Andrea! How did you get here? IV-
ANDREA I was here this morning. I knocked, but you didnt open. People told me . . . Didnt you go away? GALILEO
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GALILEO (Helpless.) Dont cry Andrea. You know, Ive found out a few things in the meantime. Shall I tell you? (Andrea nods, sobbing.) But listen carefully, or you wont understand. Remember when I showed you the planet Venus? Dont listen to that noise. Its nothing. Remember? You know what I saw? Its like the moon. I saw it as a halfcircle and I saw it as a crescent. What do you think of that? I can show you the whole thing with a little ball and a lamp. It proves that Venus has no light of its own either. And, it describes a simple circle around the sun, isnt that marvelous? ANDREA (Sobbing!) Yes, and that is a fact.
GALILEO
(Softly.) I didnt stop her from leaving.
(ANDREA is quiet now.)
But of course if I hadnt stayed it wouldnt have happened.
ANDREA Will they have to believe you now?
GALILEO Ive got all the proofs I need. You know what? When all this is over, Ill go to Rome and show them.
IV-iib-81 (TWO MUFFLED MEN with long poles and buckets come down the street. With the poles they hold out bread to GALILEO and THE OLD WOMAN in their window.)
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GALILEO Ive nothing to drink Theres no water in the house. (The TWO MEN shrug their shoulders.) Will you be back tomorrow? THE MAN (With a mufed voice, his mouth covered by a cloth.) Who knows what tomorrow might bring?
ACT V
V-i-82
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[Music Cue #31: Spirit Nr.5]
BALLAD SINGERS
(Sings.) This has the world not often seen, the teachers themselves to learning, turn. Things take indeed a wondrous scene, When these leaned men do stop to learn, Clavius, the servant of God, Gave Galileo Galilei his approval, we are pleased to say, Clavius upheld, Galileo Galilei
A FAT PRELATE (Holding his belly with laughter.) Oh Stupidity! Oh Stupidity! Please, someone give us a proposition that will not be believed.
A SCHOLAR What about the proposition that you have an unconquerable aversion to food, monsignor?
A FAT PRELATE That will be believed, never fear. They will believe it!!!! Only reasonable statements that make sense are not believed! The existence of the devil is being doubted. But they believe that the earth spins round like marble in the gutter. Santa simplicitas!!!
A MONK (Acting out a comedy.) Im dizzy. The earth is turning too fast. Permit me to hold on tyou, professor. (He pretends to stagger and holds on to a scholar.)
THE SCHOLAR (Joining in the fun.) Yes, poor Mother Earths hitting the bottle again. The ole hag is dead drunk. (He grabs hold of someone else.)
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THE SECOND ASTRONOMER Whats to come of it all! I cant understand Clavius . . .. Are all the claims in the last fty years to be taken at face value? In 1572 a new star appeared in the highest sphere, the eighth, the sphere of the xed stars. It was rather larger and brighter than its neighbors and a year and a half later it was gone, overtaken by perdition. Is that any reason to question the eternal immutability of the heavens? PHILOSOPHER THE
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THE FIRST ASTRONOMER But there he is, investigating. There he sits, gaping through that devils tube. THE SECOND ASTRONOMER Principuiis obsta! The whole trouble began years ago when we started using the tables of Copernicus a heretic for calculating such things as the length of the solar year, the dates of solar and lunar eclipses, the positions of the celestial bodies. A MONK I ask you: What is better, to get a lunar eclipse three days behind schedule or to miss out on eternal salvation altogether? A VERY THIN MONK (Steps forward with an open Bible, fanatically stabbing his ner at a passage.) What does the Book say? What say the scriptures? Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, moon, in the valley of Ajalon. How can the sun stand still if it never moves as these heretics claim? Does the Book lie? No, and thats why were leaving! THE FIRST ASTRONOMER
THE SECOND ASTRONOMER There are phenomena that present perplex difculties to us astronomers, but does man need to understand everything?
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(INTERMISSION)
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ACT VI Scene 1 March 5, 1616 (The Inquisition places the Copernican doctrine on the Index.): The house of Cardinal Bellarmine in Rome. Early evening. A ball is in progress. In the vestibule, where TWO ECCLESIASTICAL SECRETARIES are playing chess and exchanging observations about the guests, GALILEO accompanied by his daughter VIRGINIA and her anc LUDOVICO MARSILI is received by an applauding group of MASKED LADIES and GENTLEMEN. VI-i-88
[Music Cue #32: Spirit Nr.6]
BALLAD SINGERS/CHORUS
(Sing.) When Galileo was in Rome, A Cardinal asked him to his home. He wined and dined him as his guest, and only made one small request.
VIRGINIA I wont dance with anyone else but you, Ludovico.
Your shoulder clasp is loose.
LUDOVICO GALILEO
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GALILEO Youd better, or else theyll start doubting again that the earth revolves.
LUDOVICO What do you mean the earth revolves? It doesnt revolve at all. (GALILEO laughs.) All Rome is talking of nothing but you, sir. But after tonight all of Rome will be talking about your daughter.
GALILEO Everybody agrees that its easy to look beautiful in the Roman spring. I myself probably look like a paunchy overweight Adonis. (To the SECRETARIES.) Im to wait here for the cardinal. (To the COUPLE.) Run along and enjoy yourselves! (Before VIRGINIA and LUDOVICO reach the ballroom in the rear VIRGINIA skips back once more to see her father.)
VIRGINIA Father, the hairdresser on Via del Trionfo took me rst and made four ladies wait. He knew your name right away. (Out.)
GALILEO
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THE FIRST SECRETARY Its the rst carnival after the years of plague! All the great families of Italy are represented here tonight. The Orsinis, the Villanis, the Nuccolis, the Soldanieris, the Canes, the Lecchis, the Estensis, the Colombinis . . . THE SECOND SECRETARY (Interrupts.) Their Eminences, Cardinal Bellarmine and Barberini.
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BARBERINI (To the SECRETARIES.) Dont take anything down. This is a scientic discussion among friends.
BELLARMINE Consider for a moment the intellectual effort it cost the church fathers and many after them to make some sense out of this world (Abominable, isnt it?). Consider the cruelty of those who have their peasants whipped half-naked around their estates in the Campagna and the stupidity of the wretches who kiss their feet in return.
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VI-i-94
THE FIRST SECRETARY The Holy Ofce has determined that the teaching of Copernicus . . . .according to which the sun is the center of the universe and unmoving and the earth revolves around the sun and is not the center of the universe, is foolish, absurd and heretical. BELLARMINE . . . I am charged with cautioning you to renounce this opinion. GALILEO
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VI-i-95 BARBERINI Really? Oh? (Laughing heartily, he slaps GALILEOS on the back. Then with a sharp look at him, BARBERINI speaks, not unkindly.) Dont throw the baby out with the bath water, my friend, Galilei. Nor shall we. We need you more than you need us. BELLARMINE I cant wait to introduce Italys greatest mathematician to the commissioner of the Holy Ofce who has the highest regard and the most profound respect for you. BARBERINI
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SECOND SECRETARY Almost, I am putting it down. (The SECRETARIES write eagerly.) What was that part about his believing in reason? (Enter the CARDINAL INQUISTITOR.) THE CARDINAL INQUISITOR
FIRST SECRETARY (Mechanically.) First Signor Galilei arrived with his daughter. She was betrothed today to Mr. . . . (The INQUISITOR motions him to skip it.) Signor Galilei went on to tell us about the new method of playing chess in which, contrary to the rules, the pieces are moved over many squares. THE CARDINAL INQUISITOR (Again beckons no.) The minutes. (A SECRETARY hands the CARDINAL INQUISITOR the minutes and he sits down to skim through them. Two YOUNG LADIES wearing masks cross the stage and curtsy to the CARDINAL INQUISITOR.) Whos that? THE FIRST LADY VI-i-96
(The LADIES giggle and leave. Enter VIRGINIA, looking around for someone.)
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THE CARDINAL INQUISITOR And, indeed, certain gentlemen of the Holy Ofce, not so long ago, came very close to taking offence at such a picture of the world, compared to which our old picture is a mere miniature that might well be hanging from the charming neck of a certain young lady. The gentlemen of the Holy Ofce are worried that a prelate or even a cardinal might get lost in such enormous spaces. Why, God Almighty Himself might even lose sight of the Pope himself. Yes, its all very amusing, of course. But even so, my dear child, Im glad that youll be staying with your eminent illustrious father, whom we all hold in the highest esteem. I wonder whether if I know you father confessor . . . Father Christopher of St. Ursula. VIRGINIA
THE CARDINAL INQUISITOR Yes. Well, Im glad youll be accompanying your father. He will need you soon, perhaps you cant conceive of such a thing, and you may nd it difcult to believe just now, but the time will come. Youre very young and so very much alive, full of life, and the gift of greatness bestowed is not always an easy thing to bear for those to whom God has given it, no, not always. No mortal is too great to be included in a prayer, none of us. But Im keeping you, my dear child, and perhaps Im even making your anc jealous and as well as your father too by telling you something about the heavenly bodies which may, to be sure, be quite obsolete. Now, you hurry back to the ball, to your dance, but dont forget to give Father Christopher my very best regards. (VIRGINIA after a deep curtsy leaves quickly. LUDOVICO grabs her, and they dance to THE SOUND TRACK FOR NOW WERE MOVING. ALL dance. GALILEO watches quietly.) VII-i-98 (CURTAIN) (END OF ACT) ACT VII
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[Music Cue #36: Spirit Nr.7] ONE BALLAD SINGER (Sings.) Galileo read the proverb, Galileo feeling grim, Galileo had a young monk come to visit him. The Monk was born of common folk. The Monk was a poor peasants child, The Monk he wanted to know, how one, knowledge nds He wanted to know, Oh, how he wanted to know, Yes, The Monk, he wanted to know, All that the Monk wanted, was he wanted to know. So, It was of science, it was all about science, Yes it was entirely about science, That Galileo, Signor Galilei, and The Little Monk spoke. GALILEO Speak up! Speak up! Lets hear! Lets hear! The cloth, the habit, you wear entitles you to say whatever you please and want. THE LITTLE MONK Ive studied mathematics, Signor Galilei. GALILEO That might be a good thing if it led you to admit that two times two is sometimes makes four.
VII-i-99
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No, I can see their eyes waver with fright, I can see them slowly rest their spoons on the table, I can see how cheated and betrayed they feel. In that case, they will say, no one is watching over us after all. Must we, untaught, old and exhausted as we are, look out for our ignorant selves? No one has given us a part to play, only this wretched unplanned role on a tiny, earthly miserable, insignicant star that is wholly dependent, around which nothing turns? There is no sense in our misery, hunger means no more than going without food, it is no longer a test of strength; effort means no more than bending and carrying, there is no virtue in it. Can you understand now that in the decree of the Holy Congregation I discern a noble motherly compassion, a great goodness of soul? (A rupturing HANS SPIRIT musical interlude occurs, rising to a deafening sound. Then STOPS as GALILEO begins to speak.)
GALILEO Goodness of soul! Dont you simply mean that theres nothing left, the wines been drunk, their lips are parched, so let them kiss the cassock, they might as well. But why is there nothing left? Why is there no order in this country but the order in an empty drawer, and no necessity but the necessity of working oneself to death amid overowing, bursting
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GALILEO Youre also a physicist! And you can see that Venus has phases. Look out there. (He points out the window.) Can you see the little Priapus by the laurel tree at the well? The god of gardens, birds, and thieves, rustic, obscene, two thousand years old. He wasnt so much of a liar. All right, well skip that! I too am a son of the Church. But do you know the Eighth Satire of Horace? Ive been rereading him lately. He gives me a certain balance. (He reaches for a small book.) He puts words in the mouth of this same Priapus, a little statue that used to stand in the Esquiline Gardens. Heres how it starts: I was a g tree stump, wood of little use, when once a carpenter, pondering whether to fashion a Priapus or a footstool decided on the God . . . Do you think Horace would have let anyone forbid him the footstool and put a table in the poem instead? Sir, a cosmology in which Venus has no phases violates my esthetic sense! We cant devise new machines for pumping river water if were forbidden to study the
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ACT VIII Scene 1 Galileos House in Florence. Afternoon Galileos pupils, FEDERZONI, THE LITTLE MONK and ANDREA SARTI, now a young man, are gathered for an experimental lecture. GALILEO, standing, is reading a book. VIRGINIA and SIGNORA SARTI are sewing bridal linen.
ONE BALLAD SINGER
(Speaks.) After a silence of eight years GALILEO feels encouraged by the enthronement of a new Pope, himself a scientist, to resume his research in the forbidden eld: The Sunspots.
[Music Cue #41: Spirit Nr.8]
ANOTHER BALLAD SINGER
(Sings.) With eight long years with tongue in cheek, of what he knew he did not speak. This it was for him too long, for the temptations grew too great, too strong. Galileo, the truth haunting his esh, but with his life at stake, he, Galileo, challenged fate.
(Silence.)
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VIRGINIA I think he realized that he was mistaken and had made a mistake. In Rome, a very high ecclesiastic explained a lot of things about astronomy to me. And, the distances are just too great. ANDREA (Writes the program for the days schedule on a blackboard and reads aloud.) Thursday afternoon: Floating bodies. That means ice again; a bucket of water; scales; an iron needle; Aristotle. (He fetches and assembles the various objects while FEDERZONI, the LITTLE MONK and other PUPILS look things up in books.) VIII-i-106 (Enter FILIPPO MUCIUS, a scholar in his middle years. He appears to be upset.) MUCIUS Would you tell Signor Galilei that he must see me? He has condemned me without a hearing. SIGNORA. SARTI Ive told you he doesnt wish to see you. MUCIUS God will reward you if you ask him again. I must speak to him. (Goes to the staircase.) Father! What is it? VIRGINIA GALILEO VIRGINIA GALILEO
Signor Mucuis!
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SIGNORA SARTI I wanted to talk to you about your marriage, Virginia. Youre still such a young thing, and you have no mother, and your father oats little pieces of ice in water. Anyway, I wouldnt ask him questions about your marriage if I were you. He would say the most dreadful things for a week naturally at meals when the young people are there, because he hasnt half a scudos worth of shame in him, never did have. Thats not what I had in mind, Im thinking you need to inquire what the future has in store. Not that I know anything, Im only an ignorant woman. But marriage is a very serious matter. You mustnt enter into it blindly. I do think you should go to a proper astronomer at the university and consult him about your horoscope cast. Then youll know what to expect. Why are you laughing? Because Ive already been! (Very curious.) What did he say? VIRGINIA SIGNORA SARTI
VIII-i-108 VIRGINIA For three months I must be careful because the sun will be in Aries/Capricorn, but then I get a very good ascendant and the clouds will part. As long as I dont lose sight of Jupiter, I can go on any journey I please, because Im an Aries/Capricorn (Note Is this meant to mean there is no value to the horoscopes, as Galileo wrote a horoscope for her and states she is a Libra, however, according to the zodiac for the date of birth, Aug 13, 1600, she should be Leo.) And Ludovico? SIGNORA SARTI
VIRGINIA Hes a Leo. (After a brief pause.) That means hes sensual, I think. (Pause.) I know that step. (She listens.) Its Signor Gaffone, the Rector of the university. (Enter SIGNOR GAFFONE, the Rector of the university.) GAFFONE
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Whats it about?
FEDERZONI I dont know. (Spelling it out.) De Maculis in Sole. ANDREA On the sunspots! Another one! (FEDERZONI angrily hands it to ANDREA) Listen to this dedication! To the greatest living authority on physics, Galileo Galilei. (GALILEO has immersed himself once more in his book.) ANDREA (Cont.) Ive read the treatise by Fabricius in Holland. He believes the spots are clusters, swarms, of stars passing between the earth and the sun. THE LITTLE MONK Isnt that doubtful, Signor Galilei? (GALILEO does not answer.) ANDREA In Paris and Prague theyre saying theyre vapors from the sun. FEDERZONI
VIII-i-109
Hm.
ANDREA Federzoni has his doubts about that.
FEDERZONI Kindly leave me out of this conversation. I said Hm, thats all. Im the lens grinder, I grind lenses, you people look through them and observe the sky, the heavens, and what you see is not spots, but maculis. How can I doubt anything? How many times do I have to tell you I cant read these books, theyre in Latin. (In his anger of rage he
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THE LITTLE MONK A broad, at disk of ice oats in water, whereas an iron needle sinks. GALILEO Why then, according to Aristotle, doesnt ice sink? THE LITTLE MONK Because, being broad and at, it cannot divide the water. GALILEO Very well. (A piece of ice is handed to him and he puts it into the bucket.) Now I press the ice rmly down to the bottom of the bucket. I release the pressure of my hands. What happens? It rises to the surface. THE LITTLE MONK
GALILEO Correct. In rising it seems to be able to divide the water. Fulganzio!
THE LITTLE MONK But why then does it oat at all? Ice is heavier than water, because it is condensed water.
VIII-i-111
GALILEO What if it were diluted water?
ANDREA It must be lighter than water, or it wouldnt oat.
GALILEO Aha!
ANDREA Just as an iron needle cant oat. Everything lighter than water oats! Everything heavier sinks! Which is what we set out to be proved!
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(GALILEO places the needle on a sheet of paper and lets it gently slide onto the surface of the water, where it oats. Pause.) What happens? GALILEO
FEDERZONI The needles oating! Holy Aristotle, they never bothered to check up on him! (ALL laugh!)
GALILEO One of the main reasons for the poverty of science is that it is supposed to be so rich. The aim of science is not to open the door to everlasting wisdom, but to set a limit to everlasting error. Take that down!
VIRGINIA Whats the matter? What is wrong?
SIGNORA SARTI Every time they laugh, a fright comes over me. I shiver! I wonder what theyre laughing about.
VIII-i-112
VIRGINIA Father says theologians have their church bells and physicists have their laughter.
SIGNORA SARTI At least Im glad he doesnt look through his tube so much any more. That was even much worse.
VIRGINIA No, he only puts pieces of ice in water, which cant be that terrible. No harm can come of that, I wouldnt think.
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(Enter LUDOVICO MARSILI in traveling garb, followed by a manservant with luggage in hand. VIRGINIA runs toward LUDOVICO and embraces him.) VIRGINIA Why didnt you let us know you were coming? LUDOVICO I was near here in the region inspecting our vineyards at Bucciole, and I just couldnt stay away. GALILEO (As though nearsighted.) Who is that? Ludovico! VIRGINIA THE LITTLE MONK
GALILEO Oh yes, Ludovico. (Goes toward him.) How are the horses? Theyre ne sir. LUDOVICO
GALILEO Sarti, lets celebrate. Bring us a jug of that Sicilian wine, the old one! (SIGNORA SARTI goes out with ANDREA.) VIII-i-113 LUDOVICO (To VIRGINIA.) You look pale. Country living will do you good. Mother is expecting you in September. VIRGINIA Wait, I want to show you my wedding dress. (Runs out.) Sit down. GALILEO
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(SIGNORA SARTI and ANDREA bring wine and glasses. ALL gather around the table.) LUDOVICO Rome has found a topic of conversation for February. Christopher Clavius said he was afraid the whole earth-around-the-sun circus would are up again and resurface because of those sunspots. Dont let it worry you. ANDREA
GALILEO Is there any other news from the Holy City apart from hopes for new sins on my part? Is there any other gossip about how I may be plunging headlong into sin? LUDOVICO (Ignoring GALILEO.) You heard, of course, that the Holy Father is dying? Oh! Whos mentioned as successor? THE LITTLE MONK GALILEO VIII-i-114
ANDREA Signor Galilei knows Barberini personally. THE LITTLE MONK Cardinal Barberini is a mathematician. FEDERZONI A scientist on the throne of Saint Peter! (Pause.) GALILEO I see, now they need men like Barberini whove read a little bit of mathematics. Things will start moving, Federzoni, we may live to see the day when we wont have to glance over our shoulders like criminals every time we say that two times two is four. (To LUDOVICO.) I like this wine, Ludovico. What do you think of it? Its good. LUDOVICO
GALILEO I know the vineyard. The slope is steep and stony. The grapes are almost blue. I love this wine. LUDOVICO Yes, sir. GALILEO There are little shadows in it. And its almost sweet, but stops at the almost. Andrea, clear that stuff away, the ice and bucket and needle. I treasure the consolations of the esh. I have no patience with cowards who speak of indulgences and pleasures as weakness. I say: To enjoy yourself is an achievement. What are you taking up next? THE LITTLE MONK VIII-i-115
FEDERZONI Were starting in again, excitedly, on the earth-around-the-sun circus. [Music Cue #42: Spirit Take Your Stand]
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SIGNORA SARTI Youre not going back to those hellish abominations again, Signor Galilei? GALILEO (Ignoring SIGNORNIA SARTI.) Now, I know why your mother sent you here. Barberini is on the ascendant. Knowledge will be a passion; and research a delightful pleasure. Clavius is right! Yes, these sunspots do interest me. You like my wine, Ludovico? I said I did, sir. LUDOVICO GALILEO LUDOVICO
GALILEO Would you go so far as to accept a mans wine or his daughter without asking him to give up and abandon his profession? What has my astronomy got to do with my daughter? The phases of Venus dont affect my daughters rear end. SIGNORA SARTI Dont be so vulgar. Dont be so common. Ill get Virginia! LUDOVICO (He holds her back.) In families like mine, marriages are not decided or arranged by sexual considerations alone. GALILEO Did they prevent you from marrying my daughter for the last eight years because I was on probation? Am I the reason for your delay? VIII-i-117
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GALILEO Andrea, Fulganzio, get the brass mirror and the screen! Well project the suns image onto it to protect our eyes. Thats your method, Andrea. (ANDREA and THE LITTLE MONK get the mirror and screen.)
LUDOVICO Years ago in Rome, sir, you signed a pledge, a document, to stay away from, and never again to get yourself involved in this earth-around-the-sun circus business. GALILEO Oh well. Oh that! We had a reactionary Pope in those days. SIGNORA SARTI Had! His Holiness isnt even dead yet! GALILEO Pretty near, pretty near. Lay a squared grid over the screen. Well proceed methodically. And then well be able to answer all those letters, wont we, Andrea? SIGNORA SARTI Pretty near! fty times that man weighs his silly pieces of ice, fty times over, but when something happens that suits his purposes he believes, swallows it, blindly! (The screen is set up.)
LUDOVICO Signor Galilei, if His Holiness should die, the next Pope no matter who he is or how much he loves science will have to take account of how much the countrys leading important families love him.
THE LITTLE MONK
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LUDOVICO Giuseppe, put the luggage back in the coach. (The MANSERVANT picks up the luggage, and goes out.)
SIGNORA SARTI Shell never get over this. You can tell her yourself. (SIGNORA SARTI runs out, still holding the pitcher.)
LUDOVICO I see youve made your preparations. Signor Galilei, three quarters of the year my mother and I live on our estate in the Campagna and I can assure you that our peasants lost no sleep and are completely not disturbed over your treatises on the moons of Jupiter. They work too hard in the elds. It might upset them, though, if they heard that frivolous attacks on the holy doctrine of the Church were going unpunished. Dont forget that those poor pitiable, brutalized wretches get everything mixed up. They really are just brutes, like dumb animals! You have no idea! You cant imagine. A rumor that somebodys seen a pear growing on an apple tree makes all of them run away from their work to gab and babble on and on about it.
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VIII-i-119 LUDOVICO Animals. When they come up the manor with a triing complaint, mother has to have a hound whipped in front of their eyes to remind them of civility, discipline and order and good manners. You, Signor Galilei, you may occasionally see blossoming, owering corn elds from your traveling coach, or absent mindedly eat our olives and our cheese, but you have no idea how much effort it takes to raise all these things all the supervision! GALILEO Young man, I never eat my olives absent-mindedly. (Rudely.) Youre wasting my time, keeping me from my work. (Calls toward outside.) Is the screen ready? Yes. Are you coming? ANDREA
GALILEO You whip more than hounds to keep discipline, dont you, Marsili? LODOVICO Signor Galilei, you have a marvelous brain. Too bad! What a pity. (Amazed.) Hes threatening you. THE LITTLE MONK
GALILEO Yes, I might stir up his peasants to think new thoughts, and his servants and his overseers. FEDERZONI How? They dont know or read Latin!
GALILEO I could write in the vernacular for the many instead of in Latin for the few. For our new ideas we need people who work with their hands. Who else wants to know the causes of everything? People who never see bread except on their tables have no desire to know how its baked; those bastards would rather thank God than the baker. But the men who make the bread will understand that nothing can move unless something moves it. Fulganzio, your sister at the olive press wont be much surprised shell probably laugh when she hears that the sun is not a gold escutcheon, but a lever: The earth moves because the sun moves it.
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FEDERZONI Who tell and demand the earth to stand still so their castles wont fall off! And to the Cencis and Villanis! The Cervillis! The Lecchis! The Pierleonis! ANDREA FEDERZONI ANDREA FEDERZONI
ANDREA Wholl only kiss the Popes foot as long as he tramples the people with it! THE LITTLE MONK (Also at the instrument apparatus.) The new Pope will be an enlightened man. GALILEO And now lets start observing these spots in the sun which interest us at our own risk, fully aware of the danger involved, and not counting too much on the protection of a new Pope . . . ANDREA
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[Music Cue #43: Spirit Nr.8] Instrumental Only. (MUSICIANS come out one by one, as a HANS SPIRIT SCORE is heard in the background. First out is a drummer, then a lute player, and an assortment of instruments come forth for that will lead us to the
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HUSBAND OF COUPLE (SINGER)
(Speaks.) In the course of these last ten years Galileos doctrine is disseminated among the common people, his teaching spread everywhere. Pamphleteers and ballad singers everywhere are seizing upon the new ideas. In the carnival of this year 1632 the guilds in many Italian cities take astronomy as the theme for their carnival processions, as we do here in Florence.
[Music Cue #44: Spirit Much Ado]
A BALLAD SINGER
(Sings.) Ah, it is April Fools Day, of Sixteen Thirty-Two, and of science there is much ado. People, how the have learned from Galilei, using his teachings, in their very own ways.
ANOTHER BALLAD SINGER (Drumming. Speaks.)
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Around the popes the cardinals; around the cardinals the bishops; Around the bishops the secretaries; around the secretaries the aldermen; Around the aldermen the craftsmen; around the craftsmen the servants; And, Around the servants the dogs, the chickens and the geese. Then the beggars turn, at last, and least. HUSBAND OF COUPLE (SINGER) (Speaks.) That, my friends, you good people, is the Great Order, ordo ordinum, as the Lord, and as the theologians call it, regula aethernis; the Rule of Rules! And then, my dear, dear friends, please listen to what happened then? (Sing.) HUSBAND/BALLAD SINGERS
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HUSBAND OF COUPLE (SINGER)
(Speaks.) Now, my good friends, here, cast a look into the future and see what the most learned Doctor Galileo Galilei predicts!
ALL BALLAD SINGERS
(Sing.) Two ladies at a shwifes stall are in for quite a shock. The shwife takes a loaf of bread and gobbles up all her stock. The carpenters take wood and build houses for themselves, not pews. And member of the cobblers guild now walk around in shoes! Oh, how can it be? How can it be?
HUSBAND OF COUPLE (SINGER)
(Speaks.) Is this permitted? NO, it is no matter small: For independent spirit spreads like diseases of foul!
(Sings.) Yet life is sweet and man is weak and after all How nice it is, for once, to do just as one pleases, and stand proudly tall. Stand still!
BALLAD SINGERS
(Sings.) For one thing is true, fun is certainly rare, and hand on heart.
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VIII-ii-128 (Enter TWO MEN in rags drawing a little cart. The Grand Duke of Florence, a gure in sackcloth with a cardboard crown, sits on a ridiculous throne and peers through a telescope. Over the throne a painted sign Looking for trouble. Next, FOUR MASKED MEN march in carrying a huge tarpaulin, a large baldachin. They stop and toss into the air a large doll representing a cardinal. A DWARF has posted himself to one side with a sign The New Age. Among the crowd a BEGGAR raises himself by his crutches and stomps the ground in a dance until he collapses and falls in a heap. Enter a STUFFED FIGURE, more than life-size, of Galileo Galilei, which bows to the audience. In front of it a CHILD displays a gigantic open Bible whose pages have been crossed-out with a large- X.) THE HUSBAND OF THE COUPLE (SINGER) (Speaks.) Galileo Galilei, the Bible-smasher! Galileo Galilei, the Bible Killer. (An outburst of laughter comes from among the CROWD.)
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(Note: BALLAD SINGERS are Pro-Galileo, and the OTHERS are against him, or frightened of him, really.)
ACT IX
IX-i-129
Scene 1 1633 Antechamber and staircase of the Medici Palace, Florence. Day GALILEO and his daughter, VIRGINIA, are waiting to be admitted to the Grand Duke.
BALLAD SINGER
(Speaks.) The inquisition summons the world-famous scholar to Rome.
[Music Cue #46: Spirit Nr.10]
(Sings.) The depths are hot! The heights are chill! The streets are loud! The court is still! The court is still! The court is still!
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VIRGINIA Theres that same man again whos been following us. (She points at a shady individual who passes by without paying attention to them.) GALILEO (Whose eyesight is now becoming impaired.) I dont know him. I cant recognize him! VIRGINIA Ive seen him several times lately. He gives me the shivers. He really frightens me! GALILEO Nonsense. Were in Florence, not among Corsican robbers. Here comes Rector Gaffone. VIRGINIA
GALILEO He frightens me. The blockhead will draw me into another interminable conversation.
IX-i-130 (MR. GAFFONE, the rector of the university, descends the stairs. He is visibly startled when he sees GALILEO and walks stify and quickly past VIRGINIA and GALILEO, with a rigidly averted head and barely nodding.)
GALILEO (Cont.) Whats got into him? My eyes are bad again today. Did he greet us at all?
VIRGINIA Just barely! What have you said in your book? Anything they can think is heretical?
GALILEO You hang around church too much. All this getting up before dawn and running to mass is ruining your complexion. You pray for me, dont you?
VIRGINIA
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VANNI How did you like the quails I sent you, Mr. Galileo? Did you enjoy them? GALILEO Maestro Vanni, the quails were excellent. Again many thanks. VANNI Theyre talking about you upstairs. They claim youre responsible for those pamphlets against the Bible that are being sold all over. GALILEO I know nothing about pamphlets. My favorite books are the Bible and Homer. VANNI Even if that were not the case: let me take this opportunity of assuring you that we manufacturers are on your side. I dont know much about the movement of stars, but the way I look at it, youre the man who is ghting for the freedom to teach new knowledge. Just take that mechanical cultivator from Germany that you described to me. Last year alone ve works on agriculture were published in London. Here wed be grateful for one book about the Dutch canals. Its the same people who are making trouble for you and preventing the physicians in Bologna from dissecting corpses for research. GALILEO Your vote carries great weight, and counts, Maestro Vanni. IX-i-131
VANNI I hope so. Do you know that in Amsterdam and London they have money markets? And trade schools too. And newspapers that appear regularly. Here were not even free to make money. Theyre against iron foundries because they claim too many workers in one place promote immorality. I swim or sink with men like you, Mr. Galilei! If ever they try to harm you, please remember that you have friends in every branch of industry. The cities of northern Italy are behind you, sir.
GALILEO As far as I know no one has any intention of harming me.
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VANNI I believe youd be better off in Venice. Not so many cassocks. Youd be free to carry on the ght. I have a coach and horses, Mr. Galilei.
GALILEO I cant see myself as a refugee. I love and treasure my comfort.
VANNI I understand, of course, but to judge by what I heard up there, theres no time to be lost. I got the impression that right now theyd prefer not to have you in Florence.
GALILEO Nonsense. The Grand Duke is a pupil of mine, not to mention the fact that if anyone tries to trip me up the Pope himself will tell him where to get off and hasten to my defense.
VANNI You dont seem able to distinguish your friends from your enemies, Mr. Galilei.
GALILEO Im able to distinguish power from lack of power. (He brusquely steps away.)
VANNI Very well, I wish you lots of luck! (Goes out.)
IX-i-132
GALILEO (Back at VIRGINIAS side.) Every Tom, Dick and Harry with a grievance picks me as his spokesman, especially in places where it doesnt exactly help me. Ive written a book on the mechanism of the universe, thats all. What people make or dont make of it is no concern of mine.
VIRGINIA (In a loud voice.) If people only knew how you condemned the goings-on at last years carnival.
GALILEO Yes. Give a bear honey if its hungry and hell take your arm off with it.
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(The ATTENDANT half turns his back on her and yawns while looking at the SHADY INDIVIDUAL.) VIRGINIA (Has come back.) He says the Grand Duke is still busy. GALILEO I heard you say something about polite. What was it? IX-i-133 VIRGINIA I thanked him for his polite answer, thats all. Cant you just leave the book for him? Youre wasting your time. GALILEO Im beginning to wonder what my time is wroth. Maybe I should accept Sagredos invitation to go to Padua for a few weeks. My health hasnt been up to snuff. VIRGINIA
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GALILEO Not too good, Your Highness. With Your Highness permission, I should like to present my book. . .
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GALILEO (Subdued, but rmly!) Dont show your feelings. We are not going home from here, but to Volpi, the glasscutters. Ive arranged with him to have a cart with empty wine casks ready in the tavern yard next door, to take me out of the city and away at any time. Then you knew . . . Dont look back. (They start to leave.) VIRGINIA GALILEO
A HIGH OFFICIAL (Descending the stairs.) Signor Galilei, I have orders to inform you that the court of Florence is not longer in a position to oppose the request of the Holy Inquisition for your interrogation in Rome. Signor Galilei, the coach of the Holy Inquisition is waiting for you. SETTING: (BLACKOUT) (END OF SCENE) ACT IX Scene 2 The Popes Dressing Room in the Vatican in Rome. IX-ii-135
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A BALLAD SINGER (Speaks.) The Pope, Pope Urban The VIII speaks, (Very loud.) No! No! No! THE POPE
THE INQUISITOR Then Your Holiness really means to tell the doctors of all the faculties, the representatives of all the religious orders and of the entire clergy, who have come here guided by their childlike faith in the Word of God as recorded in Scripture to hear Your Holiness conrm them in their faith you mean to inform them that Scripture can no longer be considered true?
THE POPE I wont permit the multiplication tables to be broken. No!
THE INQUISITOR Yes, these people say it is only a matter of the multiplication tables, not of the spirit of rebellion and doubt. But it is not the multiplication tables. It is an alarming unrest that has come over the world. It is the unrest of their own minds, which they transfer to the immovable earth. They cry out:
[Music Cue #47: Spirit Doubt]
BALLAD SINGERS
(Sing.) Doubt, Doubt, I Shout, I Shout! The gures force our hands, with doubt, the source, and we nd consumes our minds!
THE INQUISITOR
Everyone knows these gures come from doubt. These people doubt everything.
IX-ii-136
A BALLAD SINGER
(Sings.)
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On the other hand, as we can read on the house walls of Rome, disgraceful interpretations are being put on Your Holiness great love for art, to which we owe such marvelous collections: The Barberinis are stripping Rome of what the barbarians failed to take. And abroad? It has pleased God to visit heavy tribulation upon the Holy Sea. Your Holiness policy in Spain has taken to be misunderstood by so many persons lacing in insight. Your rift with the emperor is deplored. For fteen years Germany has been a shambles, people have been slaughtering one another with Bible quotations on their lips. And at a time when under the onslaught of plague, war and reformation, Christianity is being reduced to a few disorganized bands, a few outposts remain, as a rumor is spreading through Europe that you are in secret league with Lutheran Sweden to waken the Catholic emperor. (He chuckles.) This is the moment these mathematicians, these worms, choose to turn their tubes to the sky and inform the world that even here, the one place where your authority is not yet contested and stands secure, Your Holiness is on shaky ground. Why, one is tempted to ask, this sudden interest in so recondite a science as astronomy? Does it make any difference how these bodies move? Yet, thanks to the bad example of that Florentine, all Italy, down to the last stable boy, is prattling about the phases of Venus and thinking at the same time of many irksome things that are held in our schools and elsewhere to be immutable. IX-ii-137
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THE POPE That is impudence. This stamping and trampling in the halls is insufferable. Is the whole world coming here?
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IX-ii-139
THE POPE At the very most the instruments may be shown to him. That is all you may do. THE INQUISITOR That will sufce, Your Holiness. Signor Galilei is well versed in instruments. (CURTAIN) (END OF SCENE)
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ACT X Scene 1
X-i-140
June 22, 1633 Palace of The Florentine Ambassador in Rome. Day THE LITTLE MONK and FEDERZONI are trying to play the new chess with its sweeping movements. VIRGINIA kneels in a corner saying an AVE MARIA. Galileos STUDENTS are waiting for news.
A BALLAD SINGER (Speaks.) On this day, June 22, 1633, Galileo Galilei abjures his doctrine of the motion of the earth before the Inquisition. [Music Cue #49: Spirit Nr.12] ANOTHER BALLAD SINGER (Sings.) June twenty-second, sixteen thirty-three, this day stands as momentous for you and me. Of all the days that could have been, this was the one an age of reason, yes reason, yes reason, could have begun for you and me, you see! And it is on this June day, that fast slipped by, Galileo Galilei, recants his teachings of the sky, which is shy, this very day, is important for you and I. Yes, this day shall always be, most important for you and me, for you and me, for you and me, for you see, from out of darkness, stepped forth reason, and for one whole day, for one whole day, she stood outside the door, outside the door, not lying down as being called treason. Oh, Galileo Galilei, Oh Galileo, Galilei, how will the answer lie? [Music Cue #50: Spirit Prayer] (VIRGINIA is heard praying.)
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FEDERZONI And in Florence he couldnt publish it.
(Pause.)
THE LITTLE MONK I also kept wondering whether theyd let him keep the stone he always carries in his pocket. His touchstone, his little pebble stone.
FEDERZONI Where they are taking him, people do not wear pockets.
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THE LITTLE MONK (Softly.) Hes been in prison for twenty-three days. Yesterday was the great interrogation. Today the judges are in session. (As ANDREA is listening, he raises his voice.) When I came to see him here two days after the decree, we were sitting over there; he showed me the little Priapus by the sundial in the garden you can see it from here and compared his own work with a poem by Horace, in which it is also impossible to change anything. He spoke of his esthetic sense, which compels him to look for the truth. And he told me his motto: Hieme et aestate, et prope et porcul, usque dum vivam et ultra. He was referring to the truth.
ANDREA (To the LITTLE MONK.) Did you tell him what he did in the Collegium Romanum while they were examining his tube? Tell him! (THE LITTLE MONK shakes his head.) He acted the same as always. He put his hands on his hams, stuck out his belly and said: Gentlemen, I beg for reason! (Laughingly he imitates GALILEO.)
(Pause.) (Referring to VIRGINIA.) Shes praying for him to recant.
[Music Cue #51: Spirit Prayer]
VIRGINIA Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum, benedicta tu in mulieribus, et benedictus fructus ventris tui Iesus. Sacta Maria mater Dei, ora ppro nobis peccatoribus, nunc, et in hora mortis nostrae. Amen. (She continues to repeat this over and over with her rosary in hand, and others begin to speak.)
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THE SHADY INDIVIDUAL Because of the crowds collecting in the streets, Signor Galilei will be conducted to the postern on this side of the palace near the garden door. (Out.) ANDREA (Suddenly shouting in a loud voice.) The moon is an earth and has no light of its own. And Venus has no light of its own either and is like the earth and moves around the sun. And four moons revolve around the planet Jupiter that is as far away as the xed stars and not fastened to any sphere. And the sun is the center of the universe and immovable in its place, and the earth is not the center and not immovable. And he was the man who proved it. THE LITTLE MONK No force can make what has been seen unseen. (Silence.) FEDERZONI (Looks at the sundial in the garden.) Five oclock. [Music Cue #52: Spirit Prayer] (VIRGINIA prays louder.)
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ANDREA You see! I told you! They cant do it with force! Force isnt everything! Hence ergo: Stupidity is defeated, its not invulnerable! Hence ergo: Man is not afraid of death!
FEDERZONI Now the age of knowledge, the age of science, will begin in earnest. This is the hour of its birth. Just think, if he had recanted!
THE LITTLE MONK I didnt say anything but I was very worried and afraid. I was faint of heart. Oh ye of little faith!
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FEDERZONI It would have been as if morning had turned back to night. As if the mountain said: Im water. ANDREA
THE LITTLE MONK (Kneels down in tears.) Lord, I thank Thee. Oh, Lord, I thank Thee. ANDREA But now everything has changed. Man is lifting his head, tormented man, and saying: I can live. All this is accomplished when one man gets up and says No! X-i-145 (At this moment the big bell of St. Marks begins to boom. ALL stand transxed.) VIRGINIA (Getting up.) The bell of St. Marks! He hasnt been condemned. (From the street THE ANNOUNCER is heard reciting GALILEOS recantation.) ANNOUNCERS VOICE I, Galileo Galilei, professor of mathematics and physics in Florence, hereby abjure what I have taught, to wit, that the sun is the center of the world and motionless in its place, and the earth is not the center and not motionless. Out of a sincere heart and unfeigned faith, I abjure, renounce, condemn and execrate all these error and heresies as I do all other errors and all other opinions in opposition to the Holy Church. (Darkness.) (When it grows light again, the bell is still booming, then it stops. VIRGINIA has left. GALILEOS PUPILS are still there.) FEDERZONI
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(They lead ANDREA to the door. When they reach it, GALILEO begins to speak.) GALILEO No! Unhappy is the land that needs a hero! (BLACKOUT
(GALILEO remains speaking, but goes downstage and speaks to audience.)
GALILEO Is it not obvious that a horse falling from a height of three or four ells will break its legs, whereas a dog would not suffer any damage, nor would a cat when dropped from a height of eight or nine ells, or a cricket from a tower, or an ant even if it were to fall from the moon? And just as smaller animals are comparatively stronger than larger ones, so small plants too stand up better: an oak tree two hundred ells high cannot sustain its branches in the same proportion as a small oak tree . . .
X-i-147
BALLAD SINGERS
(Speak.) Galileo Galilei, Discorsi.)
[Music Cue #54: Spirit Heroes]
(Sing.) The land, the land that has no heroes, is an unhappy one for lifes burrows, for heroes give man his glistening sun, a glimpse of hope, ideals, and spirits, truth be, to move on each day, you see. Heroes give the essence that lightens each mans way, and make life worth living, I say day by day. Heroes, heroes, our fantasy man, make him into everything as fast as you can, for heroes, heroes, they can be, all that we cant, cant you see,
GALILEO
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THE PEASANT I was told to say from someone thats passing through. (Out.) (VIRGINIA looks at the geese in astonishment. THE MONK takes them from her and examines them suspiciously. Satised, he gives them back and she carries them by the necks to GALILEO in the large room.) VIRGINIA A present, dropped off by someone whos passing through. GALILEO What is it? XI-i-149 VIRGINIA Cant you see? GALILEO No. (He goes closer.) Geese. Was there any name?
VIRGINIA No. GALILEO (Taking one goose from her.) Heavy. Maybe Ill have some now, that would be nice. VIRGINIA
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VIRGINIA Im not in the shadow. (She carries the geese out.) Put in some thyme and apples. GALILEO
VIRGINIA (To THE MONK.) We must send for the eye doctor. Father couldnt see the geese from his table.
THE MONK Ill need permission from Monsignor Carpula. Has he been writing again?
VIRGINIA No. Hes dictating his book to me. You know that. You have pages 131 and 132. They were the last ones written.
THE MONK Hes an old fox!
VIRGINIA He doesnt do anything against the rules. His repentance is real. I keep an eye on him. (She gives him the geese.) Tell them in the kitchen to roast the liver with an apple and an onion. (THE MONK goes off and VIRGINIA comes back in to the large room.) And now were going to think of our eyes and stop playing with that ball and dictate a little more of our weekly letter to the archbishop.
XI-i-150
GALILEO I dont feel up to it. Read me some Horace.
VIRGINIA Only last week Monsignor Carpula, to whom we owe so much like those vegetables the other day told me the archbishop keeps asking him what you think of the questions and quotations hes been sending you, if you like them? (She has sat down ready for dictation.)
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VIRGINIA Paragraph four: Concerning the reaction of the church to the unrest in the Great |Arsenal in Venice, I agree with Cardinal Spolettis attitude concerning the rebellious rope makers . . . GALILEO Yes. (Dictates.) . . . I agree entirely with Cardinal Spolettis attitude concerning the rebellious rope makers, to wit, that it is better to dispense soup to them in the name of Christian charity than to pay them more wages for their ship cables and bell ropes. All the more so, since it seems wiser to strengthen their faith than their greed. The Apostle Paul says: Charity never faileth. How does that sound? Its wonderful, Father! VIRGINIA
GALILEO You dont think it could be mistaken for irony? VIRGINIA No, the archbishop will be very pleased. Hes a practical man. He will be delighted. GALILEO I rely on your judgment. Whats the next point? VIRGINIA A very beautiful saying: When I am weak then I am strong. No comment. Why not? XI-i-151 Whats next? GALILEO VIRGINIA
GALILEO VIRGINIA
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(Hearing a knocking at the door, VIRGINIA goes into the anteroom. THE MONK opens the door. ANDREA SARTI appears. He is a man in his middle years now.) ANDREA Good evening. I am leaving Italy to do scientic work in Holland. I was asked to see him on my way through and bring the latest news of him. VIRGINIA I dont know if hell want to see you. You never came to visit us. Ask him. XI-i-152 ANDREA
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VIRGINIA (To the MONK.) Hes harmless. He was his pupil. So now hes his enemy. Leave us alone, Virginia. GALILEO
VIRGINIA I want to hear what he says. (She sits down.) (Cool.) How are you? ANDREA
GALILEO Come closer. What are you doing? Tell me about your work. I hear youre on hydraulics. ANDREA Fabricius in Amsterdam has asked me to inquire about your health. (Pause.) GALILEO Im well. I receive every attention. I shall be glad to report that you are well. ANDREA
GALILEO Fabricius will be glad to hear it. And you may add that I am living in reasonable comfort. The depth of my repentance has moved my superiors to allow me limited scientic pursuits under clerical Church control.
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ANDREA Federzoni is back at his lens grinding, in some shop in Milan.
GALILEO (Laughs.) He doesnt know Latin.
(Pause.)
ANDREA Fulganzio, our little monk, has given up science, deserted his research, and returned to the fold, to the bosom of the Church.
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(VIRGINIA leaves angrily. In passing she is addressed by THE MONK.) I dont like that man. THE MONK VIRGINIA
Hes harmless. You heard what he said. (On her way out.) Weve got fresh goat cheese. (THE MONK follows her out.)
ANDREA Im going to travel through the night so as to cross the border by morning. May I go now?
GALILEO I cant see why youve come, Sarti. To stir me up! Ive been living prudently since I came here. I live cautiously, and try to think cautiously, but I have my relapses even so.
ANDREA I have no desires to upset you, Signor Galilei.
GALILEO Barberini called it the itch. He wasnt entirely free from it himself. Ive been writing again.
ANDREA You have?
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ANDREA What? The Discorses Concerning Two New Sciences: Mechanics and Local Motion, The Law of Falling Bodies? Here? XI-i-155 GALILEO Oh, they let me have paper and pen. My superiors arent stupid. Theyre not blockheads! They know that ingrained vices cant be uprooted and cured overnight. They protect me from unpleasant and hazardous consequences by locking up page after page. Oh God! ANDREA GALILEO
ANDREA They let you plow water! They give you pen and paper to quiet you and calm you down! How could you ever write under such conditions? Oh, Im a slave of habit! GALILEO
ANDREA The Discorsi in the hands of monks! When Amsterdam and London and Prague are clamoring for them with hunger!
GALILEO I can just hear Fabricius wailing, demanding his pound of esh, while he himself sits safely in Amsterdam.
ANDREA Two new branches of science as good as lost!
GALILEO No doubt he and some others will feel uplifted when they hear that I jeopardized the last pitiful remnants of my comfort to make a copy, behind my own back so to speak, for six months using up the last ounces of light on the clearer and brighter nights.
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GALILEO So far my vanity has prevented me from destroying it. Where is it? ANDREA
XI-i-156 GALILEO If thine eye offend thee, pluck it out. Whoever wrote that knew more about comfort than I do. Im sure its the height of folly to let it out of my hands. But since Ive been unable to leave science alone, you may just as well have it. The copy is in the globe. Should you consider taking it to Holland, you would of course have to bear full responsibility. In which case, youd say you bought it from someone with access to the Holy Ofce in Rome. (ANDREA has gone to the globe. He takes out the copy.)
ANDREA The Discorsi! (He leafs through the manuscript. He reads.) It is my purpose to establish an entirely, totally, new science in regard to a very old problem, namely, motion. By means of experiments I have discovered some of its properties, which are worth knowing. I had to do something with my time. GALILEO
ANDREA This will be the foundation of a new physics. Put it under your coat. GALILEO
ANDREA And we thought you had deserted us! My voice was the loudest against you! I condemned you! GALILEO
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ANDREA You were hiding the truth, simply concealing it from the enemy. Even in ethics you were centuries ahead of us. GALILEO Explain that to me, Andrea. XI-i-157 ANDREA With the man on the street we said: Hell die, but hell never recant. You came back and said: Ive recanted but I shall live. Your hands are stained, we said. You said: Better stained than empty. GALILEO Better stained than empty. Sounds realistic. Sounds like me. A new science, a new ethics! ANDREA I should have known better than anyone else. I was eleven when you sold another mans telescope to the senate in Venice. And I watched you make immortal use of that instrument. Your friends shook their heads when you humbled yourself to that child in Florence: But science found an audience. Youve always laughed at heroes. People who suffer bore me, you said. Bad luck and misfortune come from faulty calculations and insufcient planning, and If there are obstacles the shortest line between two points may well be a crooked line. I remember. GALILEO
ANDREA And in sixteen thirty-three when you decided to abjure a popular item of your doctrine, I should have known that you were merely withdrawing from a hopeless political brawl in order to further and carry on the true interests of science. Which consist in . . . GALILEO
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GALILEO It was not! It was not planned!
(Pause.)
ANDREA (Loud.) In science only one-thing counts, contribution to knowledge: And that there is the only one commandment: contribute to knowledge.
GALILEO And that I have supplied! Welcome to the gutter, brother in science and cousin in treason! You like sh? I have sh. What stinks is not my sh; its me. Im selling you out! I sold me out and you are the buyer. Oh, irresistible sight of a book, that hallowed commodity. The mouth waters, the curses are drowned. The great Babylonian whore, the murderous
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(ANDREA offers him his hand. GALILEO sees it, but does not take it.) GALILEO
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VIRGINIA (Seeing ANDREA out.) We dont like visitors from the past. They upset him. (ANDREA leaves. VIRGINIA comes back.)
GALILEO Do you have any idea who could have sent the geese? Not Andrea. VIRGINIA
XI-i-161 Maybe not! How is the night? (At the window.) Clear and bright!
GALILEO VIRGINIA
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ii-162
XI-
ACT XI Scene 2 1637. The Patrol Station at a small northern Italian border town. Early Morning. CHILDREN are playing by the turnpike near the guardhouse. ANDREA, beside a COACHMAN, is
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THE BORDER GUARD (To the clerk.) Write under Reason for Leaving: Scholar. (The CLERK does so.) XI-ii-163 THE FIRST BOY (To ANDREA.) Dont sit there. (He points at the hut in front of which ANDREA is sitting.) A witch lives there. Old Marina isnt a witch. THE SECOND BOY
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THE THIRD BOY She is too. She ies through the air at night. THE FIRST BOY If shes not a witch, why cant she get any milk anywhere in town? THE SECOND BOY How can she y through the air? Nobody can do that. (To ANDREA.) Or can they? THE FIRST BOY (Referring to the SECOND BOY.) Thats Giuseppe. He doesnt know anything, because he doesnt go to school, because his pants are torn. Whats that book? THE BORDER GUARD
ANDREA (Without looking up.) Its by Aristotle, the great philosopher. (Suspiciously.) Whats he up to? Hes dead. THE BORDER GUARD ANDREA
(To tease ANDREA, the BOYS walk around him in a way indicating that they too are reading books.)
THE BORDER GUARD (To the CLERK.) See if there is anything about religion in it.
THE CLERK (Turning leaves.) Cant see anything.
XI-ii-164
THE BORDER GUARD Anyway, theres no point in looking. Nobodyd be so open about anything he wanted to hide. (To ANDREA.) Youll have to sign a paper saying we examined everything.
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The devil has put it there. Its a box. No, it belongs to the traveler.
THE THIRD BOY I wouldnt go near it. Shes bewitched Passi the coachmans horses. I looked through the hole in the roof that the snowstorm made, and I heard them coughing. THE CLERK (Almost at the box hesitates and goes back.) Witchery, ha? Well, we cant examine everything. Wed never get through. (ANDREA returns with a pitcher of milk. He sits down on the box again and continues to read. THE BORDER GUARD (Following him with papers.) Close the boxes. Is that all? THE CLERK Yes. THE SECOND BOY (To ANDREA.) You say youre a scholar. Then tell me: Can people y through the air? Just a moment! You may proceed. XI-ii-165 ANDREA THE BORDER GUARD
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Nonsense. How could she hex a box? If the devils helping her!
THE BORDER GUARD (Laughs.) Not in our rulebook! (To the CLERK.) Open it!
(The box is opened.)
THE BORDER GUARD (Listlessly.) How many?
ANDREA Thirty-four.
THE BORDER GUARD (To the CLERK.) How long will it take you?
THE CLERK (Who has started rummaging supercially through the box.) All printed stuff. Youd have no time for breakfast, and when do you expect me to collect the overdue toll from Passi the coachman when his house is auctioned off, if I go through all these books?
THE BORDER GUARD Youre right! Weve got to get that money. (He kicks at the books.) What could be in them anyway? (To the COACHMAN.) Pfftt! (ANDREA, and the COACHMAN who carries the box, cross the border. Beyond it ANDREA puts GALILEOS manuscript in his bag.)
THE THIRD BOY (Points at the pitcher that ANDREA had left behind.) Look!
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ANDREA (Turning around.) No, it was me! You must learn to use your eyes. The milk and the pitcher are paid for. Give them to the old woman. Oh, yes, Giuseppe, I havent answered your question. No one can y through the air on a stick. Unless it has some sort of machine attached to it. Such machines dont exist yet. Maybe they never will because man is too heavy. But of course, we dont know. We dont know nearly enough, Giuseppe. Weve hardly begun. [Music Cue #58: Spirit Guard Your Scientists] BALLAD SINGERS Guard your, sciences, and sciences light, use it, and misuse it not, just allow it to shine bright. Dear people, consider the end, knowledge ed across the border with revenge. We, who are thirsty for knowledge, you and I we remained behind, but one never knows if we may tomorrow shine. Guard your, sciences, and sciences light, use it, and misuse it not, just allow it to shine bright. So that it not become a re fall, that one-day darkens eternal call, for knowledge lies only in tomorrows thoughts, what we believe today, is tomorrows history taught. Guard your, sciences, and sciences light, use it, and misuse it not, just allow it to shine bright. Look around you, above you, and see what you see, you may not be living in reality. And when you think, and unusual thing for man to do, and do, when you think of something new, so new, write it down, so it wont disappear for the futures sound, it just may be that your thoughts are right. (Pause) Have a nice evening, oh yes, and have a great bright night! (Pause.) Goodnight everyone all over the world! [Music Cue #59: Spirit Goodnight] (In ITALIAN) (MEDLEY Musical compilation plays while ALL take bows.) Goodnight My Someone Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Brahms Lullaby Somewhere Over the Rainbow . . . . [Music Cue #60: Spirit Heavenly Harmony] Instrumental Only HEAVENLY ORBS.
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